Naval Academy Commissioning Ceremony... Second Lieutenant Kim Seungjae Receives Presidential Award

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] A total of 135 Naval Academy cadets will be commissioned as second lieutenants. The Korea Naval Academy will hold the graduation and commissioning ceremony for the 74th class cadets at 2 p.m. on the 11th at the parade ground on campus in Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam, presided over by Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo.

However, to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the local community and to block its entry into the military, the event will be held on campus without inviting family members or outside guests. The Korea Naval Academy will broadcast the event live in real time via social networking services (SNS) such as YouTube and Facebook for families who cannot attend.

The officers being commissioned this time include 119 for the Navy and 16 for the Marine Corps. The total number of graduates is 138, including 3 overseas cadets. The prestigious Presidential Award will be given to Second Lieutenant Kim Seung-jae (photo), who achieved the highest overall score over four years. Lt. Kim said, "I chose the path of a Naval Academy cadet because I love the sea and the uniform," adding, "Now, as an officer wearing the uniform, I will become an elite naval officer protecting the Republic of Korea at sea."

The Prime Minister's Award was given to Second Lieutenant Lee Ho-chan, and the Minister of National Defense Award to Second Lieutenant Kim Na-young. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Award went to Second Lieutenant Song Chan-woo, the Commander of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command Award to Second Lieutenant Jeong Yu-bin, the Chief of Naval Operations Award to Second Lieutenant Seong Ju-bin, the Chief of Staff of the Army Award to Second Lieutenant Lee Kyung-soo, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Award to Second Lieutenant Jang Sung-min, the Commandant of the Marine Corps Award to Second Lieutenant Kim Hyo-geun, and the Superintendent of the Korea Naval Academy Award to Second Lieutenant Hwang Ik-jun.

To celebrate the commissioning of the new second lieutenants, a welcoming formation was organized in Okpo Bay, including surface ships such as the large transport ship Dokdo and the Aegis destroyer Sejong the Great, as well as the Son Won-il-class 214 submarine named after the first Chief of Naval Operations who founded the Navy, and the Geobukseon. An aerial review by maritime patrol aircraft and maritime operation helicopters, a sea fast rope descent by Navy Special Warfare operators (UDT/SEAL), and a maritime review by high-speed boats will also be conducted.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.